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Acquittal: meaning, definitions and examples

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acquittal

 

[ əˈkwɪt(ə)l ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

legal term

A judgment that a person is not guilty of the crime with which the person has been charged. It is a formal declaration in a court of law that someone is not guilty of a crime.

Synonyms

absolution, exoneration, vindication.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
acquittal

Used in legal contexts when someone is judged not guilty of a crime after a trial.

  • The jury's decision resulted in an acquittal for the defendant.
  • She felt a sense of relief after her acquittal.
exoneration

Used in judicial or official contexts when someone is officially cleared from blame or wrongdoing.

  • The new evidence led to his exoneration.
  • He hoped for exoneration from the serious allegations against him.
absolution

Commonly used in religious contexts to describe the formal release from guilt or sin given by a priest.

  • The priest granted him absolution for his sins.
  • She sought absolution for her past mistakes.
vindication

Used when someone is shown to be right, justified, or innocent, often after a period of doubt or criticism.

  • Her success served as vindication for her controversial methods.
  • After years of being misunderstood, he finally felt vindication.

Examples of usage

  • The defendant was overjoyed when the jury delivered an acquittal.
  • The acquittal of the suspect shocked the public.
Context #2 | Noun

general usage

A judgment or verdict that someone is not guilty or has been cleared of a wrongdoing.

Synonyms

clearance, exoneration, vindication.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
acquittal

Use 'acquittal' when a person is legally declared not guilty of a crime, especially after a trial.

  • The jury's acquittal of the defendant was widely covered in the news.
  • After the trial, she received an acquittal and walked free.
clearance

Use 'clearance' when someone is officially considered free from any accusations or doubts, or when referring to someone being permitted to access specific information or areas. It can also be used in non-legal contexts, such as medical clearance to participate in activities.

  • He received clearance from the doctor to return to sports.
  • Security clearance is necessary to enter this part of the building.
vindication

Use 'vindication' when someone's actions or beliefs are shown to be right or justified, particularly after others have doubted or criticized them. This term has a sense of proving one's character or opinion correct.

  • Her vindication came when the truth about the fraud was revealed.
  • After the investigation, he felt a sense of vindication as his actions were justified.
exoneration

Use 'exoneration' when someone is officially absolved from blame or responsibility, often after further investigation proves their innocence.

  • New evidence led to the exoneration of the wrongfully convicted man.
  • His exoneration was a relief after years of being wrongfully accused.

Examples of usage

  • The acquittal of the athlete restored his reputation.
  • The acquittal of the company in the lawsuit was a relief for the shareholders.

Translations

Translations of the word "acquittal" in other languages:

🇵🇹 absolvição

🇮🇳 दोषमुक्ति

🇩🇪 Freispruch

🇮🇩 pembebasan

🇺🇦 виправдання

🇵🇱 uniewinnienie

🇯🇵 無罪判決

🇫🇷 acquittement

🇪🇸 absolución

🇹🇷 beraat

🇰🇷 무죄 판결

🇸🇦 تبرئة

🇨🇿 osvobození

🇸🇰 oslobodenie

🇨🇳 无罪释放

🇸🇮 oproščenje

🇮🇸 sýknun

🇰🇿 ақтау

🇬🇪 გამართლება

🇦🇿 bəraət

🇲🇽 absolución

Etymology

The word 'acquittal' originated from the Latin word 'acquītāre', which means 'to free from'. In legal contexts, the concept of acquittal has been present throughout history as a fundamental aspect of justice systems. Acquittals can be seen as a symbol of the presumption of innocence and the burden of proof on the prosecution. The process of acquittal has evolved over time to ensure fair trials and protect individuals from wrongful convictions.

See also: acquit.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,332, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.